WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HD 5767

An Act establishing MassQuantum

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Day

MassQuantum creates a Massachusetts Quantum Center to invest, tax-incentivize, and fund quantum startups and research, accelerating local growth and jobs.

Reported, referred to the committee on Joint Rules, reported, rules suspended and referred to the committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HD 5767

Overview

An Act establishing MassQuantum would create a Massachusetts-led framework to support quantum science research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization. It establishes a new Massachusetts Quantum Center and a set of financing programs designed to attract and grow quantum-related activities in the Commonwealth, with accompanying tax incentives, investment funds, and grant programs.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish a centralized state-capital vehicle (Massachusetts Quantum Center) to accelerate quantum industry growth in Massachusetts.
  • Create investment funds, grant programs, and tax incentives to attract certified quantum companies, support research and commercialization, and foster manufacturing and job creation.
  • Promote collaboration among universities, industry, and public entities; centralize site-finding and economic development efforts for quantum activities.

Key provisions and changes

  • Establishment of the Massachusetts Quantum Center (Chapter 23O):

    • Governance: A 5-member board (including EOEOSTS, EEOED chair, two industry leaders (appointed by House and Senate leaders), and an academic leader) with 5-year terms.
    • Center powers: Broad authority to borrow, lend, invest, grant, contract, employ staff, acquire real and personal property, enter into IP agreements, and coordinate quantum initiatives.
    • Fiduciary and ethical rules: Required disclosures, standards for conflicts of interest, executive sessions for trade secrets, and ethics safeguards.
    • Administrative flexibility: Ability to act quickly, contract with other public authorities for core functions, and create official programs and awards.

  • Commonwealth Quantum Investment Program (Section 4):

    • Certification: The center can certify a “certified quantum company” based on a proposal showing potential new state revenue, employment, and diversity goals, plus compliance with criteria like local Commonwealth engagement and IP considerations.
    • Benefits: Certified companies may access tax incentives, grants/loans from the Massachusetts Quantum Investment Fund, equity investments from the Small Business Equity Investment Fund, and other center-supported services (e.g., eligibility for state incentives, federal grant outreach, clinical trials support, workforce training preferences, and priority for certain industrial land).
    • Certification validity: 5 years; annual reporting; potential revocation for material variances from projections or failure to meet outcomes.

  • Massachusetts Quantum Investment Fund (Section 5):

    • A dedicated fund to finance MassQuantum activities, with authority to issue qualified investments, grants, and loans, and to leverage private and federal funding.
    • Investment standards: Rules to ensure benefits to the Commonwealth, with required dependency on at least one at-risk private party for certain investments; annual reporting to the Legislature.

  • Small Business Equity Investment Fund (Section 6):

    • A fund to provide qualified seed-stage equity investments (up to $6 million per enterprise) in certified quantum companies, subject to board approval and demonstrable public-benefit metrics.

  • Higher Education Grant Fund (Section 7):

    • Provides grants to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in quantum fields for living expenses (caps and eligibility for Massachusetts residents).

  • Higher Education Matching/Grants (Section 8):

    • A Matching Grant Fund to support SBIR/STTR-type commercialization efforts, allowing up to $5 million per company per year, with matching requirements and similar governance procedures.

Who is affected

  • Certified quantum companies (eligible for incentives, investments, and programs).
  • Quantum-focused startups, universities, independent research institutions, and nonprofits engaged in quantum science in Massachusetts.
  • Students and post-docs in quantum fields (through education grants).
  • Local governments and private partners seeking to collaborate or invest in Massachusetts quantum projects.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Certification and funding decisions would follow board approvals, annual reporting, and a five-year certification window subject to renewal or revocation based on performance.
  • The Massachusetts Quantum Center operates within the Executive Office of Economic Development but remains independent in governance and funding decisions.
  • Annual reporting to key legislative committees (Ways and Means, Economic Development and Emerging Technologies) is required, including program impacts, internship statistics, and ROI considerations.

Note: The text provided is an initial bill excerpt. Some sections reference detailed regulatory rules to be issued by the center and related departments.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.